Is it really an advantage us playing before Leeds?

[FATTYFOULKE]

Because in my view it’s a load of bollox saying it’s unfair us playing first, giving us the advantage as it allows us to put the pressure on them.

They’ll know exactly what they have to do the next two games, even whether to sit on a narrow lead or go for more goals if it looks like goal difference will be a factor.

They’ll know whether a draw would be a decent result and they’ll know whether it isn’t, whether to push on for the win or see the game out.

Sorry but for me it’s Leeds who have the advantage, not us.

 

[RMBlade]

At the end of the day both teams know they have to go out and win a game of football, seems irrelevant that they kick of 3 hours after us.

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

It is if we win

 

[FATTYFOULKE]

It is if we win

But not if we don’t.

 

[Mumbo]

Win and we will increase the pressure
Lose and the pressure is decreased
Not really rocket science.

 

[Isar]

I don't see it as a huge advantage to either team. Both teams are trying to win every game.

 

[Weasel]

For me, yes it it.

You're up there for a reason I.e. you win more than you lose during the season . And if you win, you rap the pressure on the opposition. If it was the other way around, id be peeved.

 

[FATTYFOULKE]

I don't see it as a huge advantage to either team. Both teams are trying to win every game.

Yes they are but Leeds have the advantage of knowing exactly what they need before they kick off. One of the games they may not need a win and could put 11 behind the ball, drastically altering the way they play and the outcome of the game than if we’d kicked off at the same time or them kicking off before us.

We have to go for the win because we don’t know what their result will be. It could be in pushing for a late winner we get caught on the counter and concede. If we knew a draw was good enough that point would have been vital.

That’s all I’m trying to say.

 

[Selly]

It is if we win

But not if we don’t.

This is it in a nutshell. I don't know if it's actually an advantage, but it certainly felt like it was a disadvantage in 2012 when Weds were playing before us and winning and we kept having to respond.

Which we did, ish, until they went ahead of us. At that point we turned in that performance against Stevenage.

The psychology can't be underestimated. What we do have is the opportunity to set the stage. Leeds don't have that.

Get a win tomorrow and, realistically, they have to win - anything less means we then have the opportunity to go at least 5 clear against Ipswich.

People do funny things under pressure - let's be honest, it is what makes sport so compelling...

 

[Sean Thornton]

Yes they are but Leeds have the advantage of knowing exactly what they need before they kick off. One of the games they may not need a win and could put 11 behind the ball, drastically altering the way they play and the outcome of the game than if we’d kicked off at the same time or them kicking off before us.

We have to go for the win because we don’t know what their result will be. It could be in pushing for a late winner we get caught on the counter and concede. If we knew a draw was good enough that point would have been vital.

That’s all I’m trying to say.

No advantage if we win earlier.

I can't see them risking playing for a draw when if we slipped up because of the obvious risk, going for the points makes much more sense.

 

[WorkingtonBlade]

I must admit, I think it's an advantage to United whether we win or lose.

If we win, obviously it piles the pressure on Leeds. But if we lose, that changes the psychology of Leeds' game too. It becomes a 'this is our big chance' moment, and that also needs careful managing in a very short timescale.

Psychology, as we've all seen, is massively important in football. Good Managers, and their assistants and coaches, spend a lot of time carefully preparing the team psychologically for each match. The right words at the right moments in the days and hours leading up to the match so that the team have (for example) just the right degree of confidence, without being over-confident. The perfect mentality for the match in question is a fine balance.

At the moment, Wilder and his team have several days leading up to each match to get this just right. Leeds have several days too, then, just hours before they kick-off, a huge unpredictable variable is thrown in, which will unavoidably effect the players' mentality - United's result. In those last moments Bielsa and his team have to try to manage the affects of that variable, at the time of highest pressure for the eleven about to walk onto the field. It's a much tougher task.

 

[hidesbehindapseudonym]

We both have to win 3 games.

Then Leeds have to win one of theirs by 7 clear goals to stop us going up.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Wife's birthday today so a bit pissed she's sober. Just like the queen holds it in.Queens birthday , celebrated in the right way.
If we want it enough it's there for us , Wilder will say it's up to you lads ! Want it enough go for it

 

[Sean Thornton]

We both have to win 3 games.

Then Leeds have to win one of theirs by 7 clear goals to stop us going up.

They could accumulate the necessary number of goals over three games if you think about it......

 

[FATTYFOULKE]

I must admit, I think it's an advantage to United whether we win or lose.

If we win, obviously it piles the pressure on Leeds. But if we lose, that changes the psychology of Leeds' game too. It becomes a 'this is our big chance' moment, and that also needs careful managing in a very short timescale.

Psychology, as we've all seen, is massively important in football. Good Managers, and their assistants and coaches, spend a lot of time carefully preparing the team psychologically for each match. The right words at the right moments in the days and hours leading up to the match so that the team have (for example) just the right degree of confidence, without being over-confident. The perfect mentality for the match in question is a fine balance.

At the moment, Wilder and his team have several days leading up to each match to get this just right. Leeds have several days too, then, just hours before they kick-off, a huge unpredictable variable is thrown in, which will unavoidably effect the players' mentality - United's result. In those last moments Bielsa and his team have to try to manage the affects of that variable, at the time of highest pressure for the eleven about to walk onto the field. It's a much tougher task.

After we conceded late to Millwall Elland Rd was absolutely buzzing. Their players were buzzing.

No-one can tell me they didn’t profit from knowing how we’d got on.

 

[PokerBlade]

There's a tactical advantage in knowing whether you need to go all out, I suppose. It's probably something that fans spend a lot of time thinking about that doesn't have as much impact as people make out.

 

[FATTYFOULKE]

If it wasn’t an unfair advantage either way there’s no reason any club can’t just say we’ll kick off a bit later that day to see how so and so got on.

Well there probably is somewhere in the rules, but you get my point.

 

[Sheffsteel]

It can be an advantage playing first but it can also be a disadvantage.

Regardless of whether we win or lose our match, it cranks up the pressure on Leeds (especially if we beat Hull)
But Leeds have the advantage of knowing what’s required, so they might be more prepared to go hung-ho and take risks.

It’s swing and roundabouts but in general it’s usually seen as a slight advantage to go first.

 

[Danetheblade]

It's an advantage if we were third. Playing before Leeds and being in second adds pressure to ourselves for a result as we don't know how Leeds will do. Good pressure to have though imo.

 

[Selly]

After we conceded late to Millwall Elland Rd was absolutely buzzing. Their players were buzzing.

No-one can tell me they didn’t profit from knowing how we’d got on.

I agree. And you can't tell me that Ellend Road wasn't even more nervous in the second half on Friday knowing that we had already won...

 

[1889]

Lets face it, we need to win every game and I’m sure that will be the mindset of Wilder, Knill and every player.

Do that and I reckon whatever Leeds do, will be immaterial, no matter what time they do it.

 

[Guesty]

The same team shouldn't play first every time, that definitely isn't on.

First is better overall, I reckon.

 

[FATTYFOULKE]

I agree. And you can't tell me that Ellend Road wasn't even more nervous in the second half on Friday knowing that we had already won...

True I’m just asking the question after Dean Ashton on Quest and Neil Redfaern amongst others, are claiming the fixture schedule has given us an unfair advantage.

 

[Paisley Blade]

It's a massive advantage - if we win.

Apologies for the reminder , but when Wednesday won at Brentford late on in April 2012 and we had to play ropey Stevenage straight after ,the buzz in the crowd had been flattened by their late goal. We all know what happened.

Win tomorrow and the screw is well and truly turned.

 

[Cjay]

Think it is an advantage regardless of what you do.

There is no way our players wont know what happened with you and Hull tomorrow before kickoff, in this day and age they will find out somehow, someone will tell them.

And that will make the need to win even more urgent, if you win they have to win because they will know we need to keep pace. If you draw or lose they will know that a win will give them an advantage which adds even more pressure to an already high pressure situation.

A lot of footballers and ex players talk about preferring to play first so there must be something in it psychologically.

 

[COME BACK CHED]

I am not to sure if we lose , they would be very Happy to draw

 

[WorkingtonBlade]

I am not to sure if we lose , they would be very Happy to draw

But if Leeds go into tomorrow’s match thinking ‘a draw is enough’ is that a good thing for them? I suspect they’d be better off going into the match with clear minds.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Head down and win all 3, don't look at other teams results, kick off times, whether other teams will rest players, goal difference etc. Just do our bit and win, win and win again to which we are more than capable of.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

If the prior result is going to change the way a team goes about the game then it could be seen as an advantage. But with it being so close then I don’t think it’s an advantage for either team as neither can afford to try and do anything except win. This also includes Norwich btw.

 

[metalblade]

We have the opportunity to crank up the pressure if we win tomorrow but that puts pressure on us a draw tomorrow may well be a good result the thing is we don't know so have to take risks and go for a win. Leeds will know exactly what they have to do anything less than needing to win is a massive boost for them as the have some control on how they have to play.
If there was no advantage either way why do the last games of the season all HAVE TO kick off at the same time? It only becomes an advantage to us if we beat Hull anything else is advantage to Leeds.